Queen Máxima traveled to Ijmuiden this morning to christen Nh1816, a new lifeboat of the Royal Dutch Rescue Organisation. For this engagement, she did something we very rarely see a royal woman do- pair a trouser outfit with a hat. This new calot hat, in the same rose beige as her jacket and blouse, was constructed of gentle waves of pleated, ruched fabric. It framed Máxima’s face quite nicely and added a little formality to her outfit (perhaps just enough for this outdoor event). I’m just not sure I’m a fan of the hat and trouser combination and to be honest, like this hat much more in photos that do not show the trousers. It is an interesting outfit nonetheless and I’m curious to hear what you think of it.
For those of you already thinking you have seen this hat before on Máxima- you have (almost). This is the one you are likely thinking of.
Designer: Fabienne Delvigne
Previously Worn: this hat is new
Photos from Patrick van Katwijk via Dutch Photo Press
Royal Hats 
Some one said that the pant should have been wide-leg and I agree. The outfit in general made her look top-heavy. I would hve gone with flats instead of high heels for this outfit. Loved the hat!
Several comments suggest that a wide-brimmed hat would have topped this outfit better; but again, not so practical as there is always at least a breeze on water, and often quite a strong wind.
MrFitzroy generally likes all the elements of the outfit….Just not in this particular combination together.
The BIG problem with the hat is that with the color and the way it is folded/gathered, (as the closeups #5-6 especially illustrate) it appears to be an Ace compression Bandage rather artfully wrapped. Not a good look. In another color, however, it could be lovely.
The jacket, trousers, and shoes are all quite wonderful as pieces…just NOT together as an ensemble.
If one is going to wear a hat and trousers together, it should have been a full hat with a brim (as commenter LouisaMay also stated) — that combo (with different trousers, and more understated shoes) could have looked rather smart.
Dear Max never looks truly bad, but here she is definitely disjointed, bless her royal heart.
Quite a few comments about pants being appropriate for this venue yet she is wearing 4″ heels….Does anyone else see the contradiction here:?
Well, heels don’t reveal anything when making a wide upwards step from deck to deck or ladder to deck…
I don’t *mind* the trousers – and rather like the colour – but the outfit viewed as a whole in a mess. The hat, top and jacket are more or less all one colour, the trousers are just some other colour, and her shoes match her top half.
Wide-legged trousers would have been better, even just a bit more material in them would help; and the top in a colour matching the trews with a contrasting jacket. The hat would have been better in a colour that’s not so close to her hair. I agree with what’s been said about the hairpiece.
When she gets it wrong, she really gets it wrong, but Max is doing so many events, she has my sympathy.
not a fan
I like this outfit and the hat with it; the clothes are clearly made from a rather dressy, satiny fabric, and that raises it to a level where a rather subdued hat like this goes very well. I can understand why she wore trousers, as she had to climb onto the boat, so she was dressing for the occasion.
I also like this hat and the clothes Queen Maxima wore yesterday. She must climb in and out of a boat to baptise the lifeboat so it was necessary for her to wear trousers. You can not expect a Queen to wear denim or sports gear! She looked elegant and very nice in this hat.
The whole thing is such a hot mess it is hard to even notice the hat. Sloppy hairdo (though she gets a point for not leaving it to hang long), too many different shades of beige, and as for the pants, I can’t decide if I am opposed to them because they are pants or because the color choice has made them the focal point of the outfit when (to my way of thinking) the HAT should always be the focal point.
I guess I am in a minority here but I love the outfit, pants and all. It looks adventuresome and gorgeous and outdoor regal… I love the colors on her and I think the hat is perfect.
I totally agree with you!
I love, love, love that look! Especially the trousers.
As calots go I think this one is ordinary in colour, design and finish to the point of being ugly. ( I am referring to the hat not the Queen) The outfit I find a hodge podge of styles, colours and fabrics, none of them appropriate for a boat launching. Just awful but not the end of the world!.
Not a fan of the hat at all.
Is there a rule somewhere that says you shouldn’t wear pants with a hat? I’m not opposed to it in principle… it’s just these pants in shiny satin don’t work with this outfit. With a beaded tunic they would be fab for a night out but they seem a little dressy for launching a boat. And really, who is looking at her hat with those pants in the picture?
Considering she was tromping around docks and in and out of boats, I’ll give her a pass on the pants/combo. It may have been a last minute decision that pants would be more practical. I liked the hat more than the others she has in similar material
With a coordinating tweed or patterned skirt, this outfit would have been so beautiful and the hat would have coordinated. I agree that the problem here is not the hat, it’s those shiny pants!
Hats and trousers are a cardinal sin in my view! This one is no exception, dreadful!!
As for me, I “like this hat much more in photos that do not show” the updo. Awful. Can’t she wrap her hair properly, or ask a hairdresser?
That apart, I find the trousers-calot hat combination…well, interesting. I think a trousers-capeline (wide-brimmed hat) combination would be more successful.
What is up with that BAD hairpiece? You’d think Max could afford a hairstylist for the days she has engagements to go to. It’s so obvious that she put her hair in a ponytail, popped on that hideous hairpiece then wrapped her ponytail around it. So tacky. Her hair ruins the hat.
I love this calot better than the turban like calot Queen Máxima wore at the new Fries Museum in Leeuwarden. This calot is much more structured and elegant. It also matches perfectly with her jacket.
This entire outfit is a Big NO for me, the color of the hat and jacket are not good on her, it makes her look washed out, as for the trousers, the color is great just not in skinny trousers for her, what was she thinking or whomever put this outfit together was thinking………….she is a mature woman not some teenager with skinny pants….no no no1
Um… slim fit jeans and pants are pretty common for everyone these days. It’s mainstream fashion. If you are a mature woman (any woman) with any sort of style, you have a pair.
But this is about the hat. And the hat is fabulous!
Skinny pants are one thing but in that fabric they are guaranteed too look like a Texan mother-of-the-bride outfit gone way wrong. So don’t defend the pants as fashionable because they’re SO not.
The trousers are a good idea for climbing onto a boat in the wind but the same colour as the top/blazer please. Queens don’t wear skinny pants with short tops, The hat is odd, its out of proportion, it seems too small on her head.
I feel the hat was too short on the sides. Also I am not crazy about this colour on her – it just blends in with her hair and face. As for the hat/pants combo – I think a casual hat would have worked. This was too formal and prim.
The hat is very attractive from every angle except straight on, however, paired with trousers…no no no!
Pretty color on her, but I’d like to see the trousers coordinate with the rest of the outfit